Australia pushes Hays’ fees up as the UK continues to struggle
HAYS said buoyant economies in Australia and Asia boosted first quarter results, offsetting a limp UK market which was dragged down by public sector job cuts.
The UK-based recruitment business said in a first quarter trading update yesterday that overall fee income during the period rose reported a 21 per cent, and 18 per cent on a like-for-like basis.
Australia and New Zealand, Hays’ largest market outside of Britain, rose 54 per cent, supported by a recovery in the mining sector, which is driving demand for both permanent and temporary jobs, Hays said.
Back in Britain, Hays said it is already feeling the squeeze from the coalition government’s drive to slash public sector spending and jobs, which account for 10 per cent of Hays’ overall sales.